✦ Chapter 31 – Xiang Yu (2) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
Male students were desperately trying to imitate the wire-fu action sequences from <Farewell My Concubine>, repeatedly leaping from the windows of the tall academy building.
They’d covered the ground with multiple layers of thick mattresses to cushion their falls, but one wrong move could still easily result in a broken neck.
“Damn it! I failed again!”
“Real men have grit! We’ll keep practicing until we succeed!”
“A man’s life should be like Xiang Yu’s! To conquer the world with a single sword! Let’s go—!!”
It was because of idiots like these that the disclaimer, ‘Good children, do not try this at home!’ was necessary.
Unlike <Admiral Lee>, I’d decided to preserve the original Chinese names in <Farewell My Concubine> to enhance the exotic feel.
Xiang Yu, Liu Bang, Fan Zeng, Han Xin… all these names, unfamiliar and unpronounceable to the people of this world, were left untouched.
It might sound like gibberish to the average citizen, but who cared? As long as it satisfied the Westerners’ Orientalist fantasies, it was all good.
… Anyway, the popularity of <Farewell My Concubine> had reached epidemic proportions.
The story, unlike my previous works, focused solely on entertainment, bombarding the audience with an almost lethal dose of dopamine and adrenaline.
The countless reviews posted on the academy’s online forum were a testament to the story’s impact.
[Rotten Melon Score Meter – Farewell My Concubine: 100%]
[└ Farewell My Concubine is so underrated! It deserves 200%, not 100%]
[└ Are you stupid? The maximum score is 100%. Go complain to the forum admin]
[└ When is the second part coming out? I need to know! Someone, please tell me!]
[└ The fact is that <Farewell My Concubine> is single-handedly reviving the Rotten Melon forum.]
The first part of <Farewell My Concubine> focused on the rise of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu.
His rebellion alongside his uncle, his victory over Zhang Han at the Battle of Julu, his triumphant entry into Xianyang, the capital of the Qin dynasty, his proclamation as Hegemon-King…
The story continues up to the Hongmen Banquet, where he drives his rival Liu Bang to Bashu with a sword dance.
‘And I’d conveniently omitted the… excessively brutal parts…’
Acts of killing soldiers and civilians indiscriminately, the Massacre burying 200,000 Qin captives alive, and other atrocities were omitted considering the audience’s sensibilities. I’d toned down Xiang Yu’s atrocities, presenting them as ‘necessary’ measures to quell rebellion and maintain order. After all, I had to consider the audience’s sensibilities.
‘…Of course, those details would reappear in the second part of the story.’
For now, however, Xiang Yu had been reborn as a romantic hero, perfectly suited to the tastes of this world, where martial prowess was revered above all else.
The current craze wasn’t so much a <Farewell My Concubine> craze… as it was a Xiang Yu craze.
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“Hey, Balthazar. Speaking of which… that whole ‘martial arts’ thing, did you really just make it up for fun? It’s not something elves actually use, is it?”
“I’ve told you a thousand times already. Even Professor Gaby, who’s an elf, said <Farewell My Concubine> is just fiction.”
“Hmm, that’s a shame. I’d love to learn Qinggong and fly around barefoot.”
“Really?”
I guess it made sense. Flight magic didn’t exist in this world yet.
To enhance the wuxia aspects of the story, I’d given the main characters— Zhang Han, Liu Bang, and Xiang Yu— their own unique martial arts styles.
First, Zhang Han, representing the black-clad Qin Dynasty, had the unique martial art of Absorption Technique. This incorporated the immortal aspirations of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, portrayed almost like a demon king.
Then, Liu Bang, representing the red-clad Han Dynasty, was given the unique martial art of Tathagata Palm.
It was a Buddhist-inspired martial art, a bit anachronistic for the time period, but it fit Liu Bang’s charismatic and benevolent persona.
And finally, there was Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, whose signature martial art was Qinggong— the ability to leap incredible distances and move with superhuman speed, represented by the color blue.
And then there was the Samadhi True Fire, which imbued his legendary sword with azure flames.
‘The audience went wild when Xiang Yu used his flaming Dragon Spring Sword to mow down his enemies.’
After the premiere of <Farewell My Concubine>, the academy was flooded with requests to hire an Eastern martial arts instructor.
Some students even went so far as to beg Professor Gaby, who taught general education courses, to take them on as her disciples.
The professor, of course, refused, stating that she couldn’t reveal the secret techniques of the elves to mere humans.
…Surprisingly, however, Xiang Yu wasn’t the only character receiving attention.
[Am I the only one who thinks Han King Liu Bang would be a better ruler? He’s a great judge of character, and he’s so much more understanding and forgiving than Xiang Yu]
[I agree! Xiang Yu’s way of distributing fiefs to his vassals was totally unfair, and he’s far too impulsive. Han King, on the other hand, is kind, compassionate, and knows when to compromise]
Liu Bang, the Han King, also had a… small but vocal fanbase.
He was charming and charismatic, yet cunning and pragmatic.
I’d based his character on a combination of Liu Bei’s political acumen and Cao Cao’s ruthless pragmatism from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
‘There are actually Chinese folktales where the cunning Cao Cao outwits the boorish Xiang Yu.’
But perhaps because his character focused more on survival than overwhelming combat prowess — unlike Xiang Yu, who could simply overpower any opponent — his overall reception on the forum was… lukewarm at best.
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[└ What? If they’re so salty about the distribution of the fiefs, they should go learn Samadhi True Fire and Qinggong themselves.]
[└ Liu Bang fanboys, where you at?]
[└ Only those who relate to Liu Bang, crying in his shabby house, should like this post]
[└ Han King Liu Bang arrested at his home in Bashu.]
[Honestly, Fan Zeng’s flattery is extremely old-fashioned. Why does he keep insisting on eliminating cowards like Liu Bang or Han Xin, who crawls under other people’s legs? Doesn’t this old man care about his lord’s dignity?]
[└ He’s just an idiot. Even after Xiang Yu wiped out the Qin army at Julu, he still acted up.]
[└ He acts all wise, but I don’t see what’s so wise about him.]
[└ Phantom probably created him to be a crotchety old man that everyone would hate.]
“…Only someone who doesn’t know the ending could make an assessment like that.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Nothing.”
In a medieval-esque society, personal strength was everything.
So it was only natural that people would be blinded by Xiang Yu’s power and charisma.
His violent temper was reinterpreted as a commanding presence that inspired awe and fear.
His stubborn refusal to listen to advice became a sign of his unwavering resolve.
His arrogance and contempt for his enemies were seen as the justified confidence of an invincible hero.
But it wasn’t just because the protagonist was strong.
‘The first part of <Farewell My Concubine> is basically… an overpowered web novel.’
An overpowered protagonist wreaking havoc, ignoring all rules and conventions? There was no better formula for pure, unadulterated entertainment.
Even I enjoyed those kinds of power fantasy stories — One Punch Man, Sword Art Online, Overlord…
So for these people, who’d never even heard of an overpowered protagonist before… it was only natural for them to see everything from Xiang Yu’s perspective.
“…But now I’m kind of scared to write the second part.”
“Why? Are you worried the prince will get obsessed with it again, like he did with <Admiral Lee>?”
“That’s part of it, you idiot.”
At least Admiral Yi Sun-sin had died a heroic death, defending his country.
Xiang Yu, on the other hand… had basically self-destructed. His own pride and impulsiveness had led to his downfall.
Back on Earth, that was just a historical fact. But in this world, Xiang Yu was a fictional character — my creation.
‘I’ve read enough web novels to know how this goes.’
If a beloved protagonist dies a stupid death… the comment section is going to explode.
And the people obsessed with Xiang Yu in this world were no different from those web novel readers.
So I needed a convincing reason, a rational justification —
I needed a plausible explanation for Xiang Yu’s downfall — something more convincing than ‘Xiang Yu was stupid.’
“……Ah!”
It was then that an idea struck me.
There was a concept in wuxia that perfectly fit Xiang Yu’s actions and his eventual fate.
‘They say accumulating bad karma through repeated killings leads to being gradually blinded by evil energy, right?’
As Xiang Yu’s tyranny and stubbornness intensify towards the latter part of the Chu-Han Contention.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to subtly connect that behavior to such a premise.
This would not only maintain Xiang Yu’s inherent flaws but also provide a device to help the audience accept the protagonist’s eventual downfall.
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The popularity of the play <Farewell My Concubine> wasn’t limited to the academy.
Everyone, it seemed, was obsessed with Xiang Yu.
The development of an over-the-top, action-packed wuxia story provided an exhilarating and spicy contrast to the monotonous chivalric literature they were accustomed to.
As a result, various elements of <Farewell My Concubine> began to permeate Imperial society.
“Haha, Brother Thomas! How have you been faring?”
“Brother Marcel! It’s good to see you! You look splendid, I’m glad to see it!”
One significant trend was the martial arts greeting ba quan li as exchanged by the elves in the play.
Clasping their fists while reciting archaic lines became a fashionable gesture.
In churches, workplaces, taverns, and marketplaces alike, everyone, regardless of their status, joyfully mimicked the elves’ greetings.
Some people, after exchanging ba quan li salutes, even went so far as to swear oaths of brotherhood.
Liu Bang and Xiang Yu became sworn brothers under the banner of overthrowing the Qin Dynasty.
It didn’t seem to matter that Liu Bang had been coerced into that alliance… the romantic ideal of the blood oath had captured people’s imaginations.
“Alright, Paul! From today, we are sworn brothers!”
“Of course! Since we’re sworn brothers, I, as the elder brother, shall take the last chicken leg…”
“Get back to Bashu, you fiend—!!”
Simultaneously, an unprecedented horseback riding craze swept through the Empire.
Especially black horses.
The mythical Ochu Horse, reborn from a dragon in the lake, and the hero Xiang Yu who subdued and tamed it with immense strength.
Watching this, the demand for black horses surged dramatically.
This led to a frenzy to obtain black horses around the capital for some time.
Whenever a high-quality horse appeared, the entire merchant caravan would swarm to it.
“That magnificent black stallion! Sell it to me!”
“No, sell it to me! Our caravan will offer a higher price!”
“If we put it up for auction for noble young lords, we’ll definitely make a profit! Even a foal would do, just get me a jet-black horse!”
The black horse craze in this world was reminiscent of the Tulip Mania that had gripped 17th-century Holland.
It was a recreation of the world’s first speculative bubble, triggered by the obsessive flower enthusiasts of 17th-century Holland — where a single tulip bulb could fetch a price ten times higher than a craftsman’s annual salary.
But the most attention-grabbing aspect of <Farewell My Concubine> was, of course, the martial arts.
The meticulous descriptions of cultivating internal qi through meditation, channeling it through meridians, and using it to perform superhuman feats like the Samadhi True Fire and Qinggong…
The capital’s knights and mages were in awe as they watched these scenes.
“No way, isn’t that similar to how we manipulate mana?”
“By the heavens! It seems Phantom, the Hero of the Pen (Candidate), also possesses deep knowledge of magic!”
“Quite a novel idea. Instead of merely supplementing with magic, the warrior directly uses it to enhance combat power? Surely, if realized, the synergy would be exceptional.”
Conceptually, there was nothing special if one thought of the martial arts in the story as magic.
The Samadhi True Fire, for example, was essentially just a variation of fire magic.
But in this world, martial arts and magic had always been seen as distinct, separate disciplines. People specialized in one or the other. The idea of combining the two had never occurred to anyone.
Phantom’s <Farewell My Concubine> had shattered that preconceived notion.
“Couldn’t our Empire’s knights also learn to combine magic and swordsmanship, like Xiang Yu?”
This suggestion was raised at a meeting of the Imperial Council by several generals who’d been deeply impressed by <Farewell My Concubine>.
They presented analyses prepared by mages, highlighting the similarities between the ‘qi’ described in the play and actual magic.
“As Admiral Lee demonstrated, Phantom is a brilliant strategist with a deep understanding of naval warfare. And it’s clear from <Farewell My Concubine> that he also possesses extensive knowledge of magic.”
“Hmm…” Sir William Wenford, the Minister of War, frowned slightly.
Rosalyn Wenford’s father stroked his beard, lost in thought.
He, too, recognized Phantom’s genius.
<Admiral Lee> had paved the way for the Wenford family’s return to political prominence.
<Julius Caesar> Caesar had inspired the Imperial family to adopt Roman customs and traditions.
<Exodus> had reinvigorated the demoralized ranks of the Paladins.
And the philosophical ideas presented in Phantom’s book, <Dialogues>, had left him wondering if there was anything this man couldn’t do.
But this… this request was… different.
“I understand Phantom’s brilliance, but this…”
“Your Excellency, even the younger generation of mages in the Imperial Palace agree with our assessment.”
…The generals were dead serious.
“The way qi is depicted in <Farewell My Concubine>… it requires a deep understanding of mana manipulation to even conceptualize it. Phantom must have conducted extensive research and theoretical analysis before creating those characters. There’s no reason why we can’t also train invincible swordsmen like Xiang Yu.”
“Imagine… a powerful army wielding both magic and swordsmanship! How secure our Empire—our people—would be with such warriors defending them!”
Of course, Phantom didn’t actually possess any knowledge of magic.
He merely copied the ‘qi’ settings from the martial arts stories he had seen in his previous life.
However, those unaware could only marvel at the writer’s knowledge and creativity.
Thus, they began to believe sincerely that by following Phantom’s ideas, producing an invincible hero like Xiang Yu in reality was not impossible.
And that fervent belief was enough to sway even the cautious and level-headed Sir Wenford.
“…Very well! Sometimes, bold changes are necessary for progress!” Sir Wenford declared, nodding decisively.
“Draft a formal proposal and submit it to His Majesty. Now, what should we call these… new warriors?”
“Hmm… how about… Mana Swordsmen, Your Excellency?”
“Mana Swordsmen! Swordsmen who wield mana! I like it! Hahaha!”
And so, inspired by <Farewell My Concubine>, a new national project was launched in the Holy Empire.
A large-scale military training program known as… [Project Mana Swordsman].
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Meanwhile, as the citizens of the Empire were enthralled by <Farewell My Concubine>…
A figure appeared in a dark, secluded clearing deep within a forest, far from the bustling heart of the city.
It was a quiet place, shrouded in shadows, the only sounds the rustling of leaves, the hooting of owls, and the gentle murmur of a nearby stream.
“………….”
The Wanderer had recently seen the first part of <Farewell My Concubine>, the play written by the Hero of the Pen candidate.
After making sure she was alone, she drew the sword strapped to her back and pulled down her hood.
Shing—!
Her eyes, cold and sharp, gleamed with a wolfish intensity.
Her hair, as blue as a clear, flowing river, was braided and held in place by a delicate, butterfly-shaped hairpin.
And then, as she lowered her hood, a distinctive feature was revealed—the mark of her mixed heritage.
Her ears, shorter than an elf’s, yet pointier than a human’s, were the undeniable sign of a half-elf.
Her name was Maya.
A wandering half-elf— and a formally nominated candidate for the title of Hero of the Sword.
Translator’s Notes :-
If I were in shoes of Phantom, I would introduce these uncultured folks to the greatness of the ‘Invisible Dragon’
…and also to ‘Against The Gods’, ‘Reverend Insanity’, ‘I Shall Seal The Heavens’ and ‘Renegade Immortal’.
Which works of fiction would you introduce to the population if you ever got the chance to isekai with your memory intact?
Trivia :-
The ‘ba quan li’ is like this
— End of Chapter —
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